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It will be up to the Miami Dolphins if Ricky Williams plays football in the Canadian Football League this season, according to the suspended running back's agent.

Leigh Steinberg found out yesterday that his client had been put on the Toronto Argonauts' negotiation list, a day after he had been officially suspended for the entire 2006 NFL season for violating the substance abuse policy for a fourth time.

"He loves football," Steinberg said in a phone interview. "He is definitely coming back to the Dolphins (for 2007). This, (playing for Toronto), I have no idea about it. We just heard about it."

"It wasn't a flat-out 'forget it.' He hasn't had a chance to talk to Ricky, yet," Mohns said. "(Steinberg) asked a lot of questions."

Steinberg said he couldn't ascertain Williams' interest in the CFL until he has talked to the player, Dolphins head coach Nick Saban and the team's management.

Steinberg said Williams' latest violation caught everyone off guard.

"Everyone is crushed that his happened," he said. "Nick Saban was unaware of (any drug usage) as was everybody else on the team. Ricky's been in the best behavioural mode. It's like Nick Saban says: 'He's not using drugs.'"

Steinberg said there are two sides to Williams: The serious, sensitive individual who yearns for higher thought, and the talented football player.

"He is behaviourally perfect as a football player," Steinberg said. "He was like that from the day he (returned last year to the Dolphins after a year away) to the end of the season. Nobody gets this (latest positive test)."

Steinberg maintains Williams is not a high-maintenance problem player.

"He has a very high IQ, is emotionally bright," Steinberg said. "He's got a highly gentle spirit. All that happened was he lost his desire to play football and wanted to take off. This is not an individual who is ever going to cause a problem with another player."